Aerospace Defence and Security Expo (ADSE) 2025

Media Coverage from ADSE 2025

If you weren’t able to join us for the Aerospace Defence and Security Expo (ADSE) 2025, be sure to check out the news coverage below for some of the many highlights from this year’s event:

‘We don’t have a choice here’: SecState for defence procurement Fuhr pledges to move ‘quicker,’ take more risks – The Hill Times

Canadian Defence Review (CDR)– Conference and Tradeshow Report: ADSE 2025

Overview

The 15th edition of the Aerospace, Defence and Security Expo (ADSE) was held on August 7-8, 2025, at Tradex in Abbotsford, British Columbia.

Presented by the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada, ADSE is a key meeting point for industry and government leaders as well key decision makers from across the aerospace sector.

Aligned with this year’s theme of Resilience & Readiness, ADSE 2025 featured ample opportunities for B2B and networking with industry and government leaders, including experts and key decision makers from across Canadian and international aerospace markets.

Contact us today to learn more about the program, sponsorship and opportunities to get involved in next year’s event:

Mike Baker
Senior Manager, Operations, AIAC
Email: mbaker@aiac.ca

Bill Yetman
Vice President, Strategic Planning, AIAC
Email: byetman@aiac.ca

Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors :

Presenting Sponsor

Platinum Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor:

Supporter Industry Partner:

Media Partners:

Speakers

The Honourable Stephen Fuhr

Secretary of State – Defence Procurement
Government of Canada

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Major‑General Jeff Smyth, MSM, CD

Chief Air and Space Force Development
Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)

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Arianne Reza

Deputy Minister
Public Services and Procurement Canada

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Wendy Hadwen

Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy‑Industry
Department of National Defence

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Sara Cohen

Deputy Head of Mission (Foreign Policy & National Security)
Embassy of Canada to the United States

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Dr. Ahmad Khorchid

Director, R&D Innovation Operations
Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC)

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Earl Maynard

Senior Strategic Advisor
Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS)

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Michael Benson

Director ‑ Business Development
Conair Aerial Firefighting

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Marc Bigaouette

Director ‑ Canadian Government Programs
Bell Textron Canada

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Simon Carroll

President
Saab Canada, Inc.

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Goldy Hyder

President and Chief Executive Officer
Business Council of Canada

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Kevin Kelly

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Arcfield

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Chris Lohmann

Sustainable Aviation Fuels Market Development
Boeing

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Tracy Medve

President & CEO
KF Aerospace

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Steve Patrick

Vice President
Bombardier Defense

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Neil Sweeney

Vice President Corporate Affairs
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada

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Patrick Thauberger

Director of Airborne Mission Systems
General Dynamics Mission Systems‑Canada

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Kimberley Van Vliet

Founder & CEO, WāVv; Creator, ConvergX®;
Director, Aerospace Innovation Hub; Deputy Chair, NIAG–ACT

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Daniel Verreault

Vice President, GEC Aviation Inc & Capture Lead Canada Defense & Systems
GE Aerospace

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Program

All times subject to change without notice
Presented by

Thursday, August 7

8:30 am – 4:00 pm	Registration
	sponsored by
8:50 am	Welcome Remarks
	Featuring: • Mike Mueller, President and CEO, AIAC • Uwe Zachau, Vice Chair, AIAC Board
9:00 am – 4:00 pm	Opening of the Exhibit Hall and B2B meetings

9:00 am	NATO Industrial Advisory Group (NIAG) Panel
	Moderator: • Mike Mueller, President and CEO, AIACFeaturing: • Kimberley Van Vliet, Founder & CEO, WāVv; Creator, ConvergX®; Director, Aerospace Innovation Hub; Deputy Chair, NIAG–ACT • Daniel Verreault, Vice President, GEC Aviation Inc; Capture Lead Canada Defense & Systems, GE Aerospace
9:30 am	Speaker Session
	sponsored by Featuring: • Wendy Hadwen, Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy-Industry, Department of National Defence Topics include: Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) goals, current/ongoing efforts, and received input and feedback from consultations with industry and other stakeholders DIS early investments and allocation of $2.1B of the recently announced $9B in defence spending increase as it relates to sovereign capabilities, industrial support, innovation and R&D, and defence export promotion DIS next steps, including the development of a comprehensive strategy.
10:00 am	Refreshment Break in Trade Show

11:00 am	Speaker Session
	Featuring: • Kevin Kelly, Chairman and CEO, Arcfield
11:30 am	Speaker Session
	Featuring: • Tracy Medve, President & CEO, KF Aerospace
12:00 pm	ADSE Luncheon & Fireside Chat Without the Fire
	Featuring: • MGen Jeff Smyth, MSM, CD, Chief Air & Space Force Development, Royal Canadian Air Force Topics include: Overview of the Canadian threat landscape. RCAF’s generational platform, equipment, and infrastructure modernization, including the implementation and operationalization of new RCAF fleets, including space capabilities. The Government of Canada’s renewed focus on advancing the Canadian Defence Industrial Strategy and the opportunities that will be presented to Canadian industry, including infrastructure, ISS and development of new tech.- new security requirements – both from a policy perspective and from an industry perspective. (i.e. industry needs to be able to work at the requisite security levels in terms of sec clearances for pers, security procedures, and secure physical and digital infrastructure.
1:00 pm	Speaker Session
	Featuring: • Sara Cohen, Deputy Head of Mission (Foreign Policy & National Security), Embassy of Canada to the United States, Washington, D.C. Topics include: Canada-U.S. bilateral relationship overview:, Canada’s priorities and G7 commitments. Border security: update on cross-border data, Canadian policy and other measures taken, and investments made to the Can-U.S. border. Defence: cooperation with the U.S. and allies, including through NATO and NORAD, and in the arctic, North American/continental security.
1:30 pm	Speaker Session
	Featuring: • Chris Lohmann, Sustainable Aviation Fuels Market Development, Boeing
2:00 pm	Refreshment Break in Trade Show

3:00 pm	Speaker Session
	Featuring: • Michael Benson, Director, Business Development, Conair Aerial Firefighting
3:30 pm	Speaker Session
	Featuring: • Earl Maynard, Senior Strategic Advisor, Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS)
4:00 pm	Speaker Session
	Featuring: • Neil Sweeney, Vice President Corporate Affairs, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada
4:30 pm	Speaker Session
	Featuring: • Dr. Ahmad Khorchid, Director, R&D Innovation Operations, Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) Topics include: Canadian defence innovation drivers Overview of the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program Highlights of innovation investments in aerospace Ongoing efforts to evolve DND’s innovation programming to support the upcoming Defence Industrial Strategy
5:00 pm	Day 1 Closing Remarks
	Featuring: • Mike Mueller, President and CEO, AIAC
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm	ADSE Welcome Reception
	For all ADSE attendees and exhibitors

Friday, August 8

8:00 am – 3:00 pm	Registration
	sponsored by
8:00 am – 8:45 am	ADSE Breakfast

8:30 am – 3:00 pm	Opening of the Exhibit Hall and B2B meetings

9:00 am	Day 2 Welcome Remarks
	Featuring: • Mike Mueller, President and CEO, AIAC
9:10 am	Speaker Session
	sponsored by Featuring: • Arianne Reza, Deputy Minister, Public Services and Procurement Canada
9:30 am	Speaker Session
	Featuring: • Marc Bigaouette, Director, Canadian Government programs, Bell Textron Canada Limited
10:00 am	Refreshment Break in Trade Show
	sponsored by
11:00 am	Speaker Session
	Featuring: • Simon Carroll, President, Saab Canada, Inc.
11:45 am	ADSE Luncheon & Fireside Chat Without the Fire
	sponsored by Featuring: • The Honourable Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State – Defence Procurement, Government of Canada
1:00 pm	Refreshment Break in Trade Show

2:00 pm	Speaker Session
	Featuring: • Goldy Hyder, President and Chief Executive Officer, Business Council of Canada • Steve Patrick, Vice President, Bombardier Defense
2:30 pm	Speaker Session
	Featuring: • Patrick Thauberger, Director Airborne Mission Systems, General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada
3:00 pm	ADSE Closing Remarks
	Featuring: • Mike Mueller, President and CEO, AIAC • Uwe Zachau, Vice Chair, AIAC Board
3:45 pm – onwards	Abbotsford International Airshow Twilight Dinner
	Twilight Show Shuttle sponsored by

Sponsorship

Elevate your brand recognition and help your company reach new heights at ADSE 2025 – Canada’s premier aerospace, defence and security event of the year!

Participating in ADSE is your opportunity to gain visibility and unparalleled access to leaders from across Canada’s aerospace industries:

Take advantage of a unique opportunity to introduce your organization to Canadian aerospace leaders
Position your brand next to Canada’s top aerospace companies and capitalize on exceptional visibility
Support the Canadian aerospace community by contributing to the success of this important event

Contact us today to learn how you can get involved:

Mike Baker
Senior Manager, Operations, AIAC
Email: mbaker@aiac.ca

Bill Yetman
Vice President, Strategic Planning, AIAC
Email: byetman@aiac.ca